Trojan board looks toward the future

By Tony Farkas
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COLDSPRING — The Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD Board of trustees is looking toward the future, including the best use of its facilities, a possible bond issue and what to do in the face of uncertain state funding.

Superintendent Dr. Bryan Taulton said that at the April 22 meeting, the board discussed long-term planning, including the possibility of issuing bonds, as part of the November election.

At the December 2023 meeting, the trustees discussed the future of the district’s campuses, looking toward using buildings to provide space for a growing student population. That includes repurposing the Jones complex as a campus for students in grades 3-6, ultimately creating an intermediate school.

Taulton said that if a bond election is held and passed, the current intermediate school will become the elementary school following the renovation.

Additionally, the board approved rebranding its facilities assessment committee, which is making recommendations for changes, to a Facilities and Finance Advisory Committee for Trojan Students (FFACTS).

Taulton said they and the district will address budgetary issues, cost-effective spending, using attrition for employees effectively and facilities upgrades.

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The idea is to help offset issues based on a recent decision by the state Comptroller’s Office regarding valuations, which has impacted the district’s income, to help maximize state funding.

In other business, the board:

•approved student athletic insurance for the coming school year;

•approved an agreement with Conroe ISD for instruction for deaf students;

•approved budget amendments for coolers and warmers for Food Services;

•approved administrator contracts for the coming school year; and

•discussed upcoming events. Taulton said that May 23 is the last day of instructions; graduation isat 7:30 p.m. May 24 at Berlin Bradford Stadium, weather permitting; summer school starts Monday, June 3, for students in grades eight-12, and ends June 27; and Monday, Aug. 12, is the first day of school for the 2024-25 school year.

The next board meeting will be on Tuesday, May 28, which was moved because of Memorial Day.